How to Build a Display Case for a Guitar

A guitar is a beautiful instrument that varies widely in appearance depending on the type of guitar you have. Regardless of whether you have a vintage, pristine acoustic or a brand new, modern electric the money you invested in the instrument would be wasted if you stick the guitar behind a closet door where it won’t be seen and isn’t protected. You can easily build a display case for your prized possession to show it off so that everyone can enjoy it, without the risk of it getting broken.

Skill level:

Easy

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Things you need

Measuring tape

3/4-inch thick wood

Saw

Nail gun

1/2-inch thick wood

Pencil

Guitar hanger

Power drill

Paint or stain

Glass cabinet door

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Instructions

1

Measure the height, width and depth of your guitar with a measuring tape. Add 6 inches to the height and width and double the depth. If your guitar is 3 feet tall, 1 foot wide and 4 inches deep, then change the measurements to 3 1/2 feet, 1 1/2 feet and 8 inches.

2

Cut out two pieces of 3/4-inch wood for the vertical sides according to the new length and the new depth with a saw. For our example, these boards would be 3 1/2 feet by 8 inches.

3

Make the top and bottom boards by cutting them according to the new width and the new depth. For the above example, these boards would be 1 1/2 feet by 8 inches.

4

Arrange the boards so they form a long rectangle. The board should be standing on the 3/4-inch edge so you have a deep box frame. Nail the boards together with a nail gun at each corner to join them into a steady frame.

5

Lay the 1/2-inch-thick wood on the table and put the rectangular frame on top. Trace the outside edge of the frame onto the plywood. Cut out the traced shape on the wood and place it on top of the frame so all of the edges are lined up. This is the backing of the case.

6

Nail the backing to the frame with the nail gun. Insert several nails around the edge until it is securely attached. Turn the frame over so the backing is facing down, to make sure it is firmly against the frame.

7

Place the guitar inside the frame so it is resting on the backing. Adjust the guitar until it is centred in the frame and you like the way it looks. Put the guitar hanger under the neck of the guitar just below the head and the tuning keys. Mark the position of the hanger on the backing with a pencil.

8

Take the guitar out of the case and attach the hanger to the backing with a drill and the screws that came with the hanger.

9

Paint or stain the case, inside and out, with whatever finish you want your case to have.

10

Attach the glass door to the case along one of the vertical sides. You can hang it with the hinges on the right or the left depending on which way you want it to open. Use a drill and the screws included with the door to fix the hinges to the case.

11

Stand the case up on its end so the hanger is on the upper half of the backing. Place the guitar inside so the neck is resting on the hanger.

Tips and warnings

You can cover the back of the interior of the case with velvet for a more luxurious display case, also providing a softer resting place for the guitar.

Use only good quality wood that will support the weight of your guitar or the case may break and damage the guitar.